LMA - Parting ways was mutually beneficial

[HailBlazers]

Yay! Another LMA thread.

Five Questions with ... LaMarcus Aldridge

SI.com: In 2014, you said you wanted to re-sign with Portland. When you put off thumb surgery in January, people saw that as a sign of your loyalty to Portland. What changed?

LaMarcus Aldridge: You know I think just weighing my options and just going through the process really kind of helped me see what I valued. It wasn’t easy leaving. I love Portland and I have so much history there and I knew it like the back of my hand, so the decision to leave was never easy. When I put off [thumb surgery] I definitely didn’t think I was leaving. I wanted to maximize that moment. I didn’t want to waste that. I wanted to be in the moment, I wanted to help finish the season out well and to play in the playoffs. So in that moment I was in the mind-set that I was coming back.

But I think as I went through the process more I just value being closer to home, I value seeing my kids more. I feel like, of course, Portland didn’t want me to leave, but I feel like at the end of the day it’s good to have a fresh start. You know we had first round [exits] for so many years, and then we finally got to the second round, but I think for both sides it’s actually really good. It’s better to get a fresh start and now they have no battle with who’s the face of the team. Damian [Lillard] is a very high talent so he’s going to be good for years to come. So I think in a way it actually made it easier on them too.

SI.com: Could Portland have done anything different?

LA: No, I think they did everything that they could. I thought they were trying to see what I wanted, what I needed. They were trying to keep me involved every step of the process. I thought that they definitely made me feel like they wanted me back. They were very interested in having me back, they wanted me to still be the focal point of the offense, so I don’t think there was much they could have done. I think it was just that time, where we had tried and tried and tried and I feel like San Antonio, and being home, it was just a lot of positives. Like I said being home was one of my goals and to be there and to just see my family was key.

 

[Strenuus]

This must be the truncated version.

I only see a couple you knows.

 

[julius]

I like how he says he missed his kids. I guess I forgot when the state of Oregon banned kids moving here.

 

[Strenuus]

"It's good to have a fresh start"

Or a bigger start...

 

[Strenuus]

I like how he says he missed his kids. I guess I forgot when the state of Oregon banned kids moving here.

"Leave no child behind" (unless you want them to move to Oregon, then you're fucked.)

 

[Strenuus]

"There's only two things that come from Texas: Steers, and fathers who convienetly cant have their kids move to Oregon."

 

[SlyPokerDog]

It’s better to get a fresh start and now they have no battle with who’s the face of the team.

In other words, "I left because of all of the attention Lillard was getting, ya know."

 

[Eastoff]

I like how he says he missed his kids. I guess I forgot when the state of Oregon banned kids moving here.

He's not married to either mother. He probably has a lot less control of moving his kids. Especially since he's gone almost half of the year.

 

[Strenuus]

Yay! Another LMA thread.

Five Questions with ... LaMarcus Aldridge

SI.com: In 2014, you said you wanted to re-sign with Portland. When you put off thumb surgery in January, people saw that as a sign of your loyalty to Portland. What changed?

LaMarcus Aldridge: You know I think just weighing my options and just going through the process really kind of helped me see what I valued. It wasn’t easy leaving. I love Portland and I have so much history there and I knew it like the back of my hand, so the decision to leave was never easy. When I put off [thumb surgery] I definitely didn’t think I was leaving. I wanted to maximize that moment. I didn’t want to waste that. I wanted to be in the moment, I wanted to help finish the season out well and to play in the playoffs. So in that moment I was in the mind-set that I was coming back.

But I think as I went through the process more I just value being closer to home, I value seeing my kids more. I feel like, of course, Portland didn’t want me to leave, but I feel like at the end of the day it’s good to have a fresh start. You know we had first round [exits] for so many years, and then we finally got to the second round, but I think for both sides it’s actually really good. It’s better to get a fresh start and now they have no battle with who’s the face of the team. Damian [Lillard] is a very high talent so he’s going to be good for years to come. So I think in a way it actually made it easier on them too.

SI.com: Could Portland have done anything different?

LA: No, I think they did everything that they could. I thought they were trying to see what I wanted, what I needed. They were trying to keep me involved every step of the process. I thought that they definitely made me feel like they wanted me back. They were very interested in having me back, they wanted me to still be the focal point of the offense, so I don’t think there was much they could have done. I think it was just that time, where we had tried and tried and tried and I feel like San Antonio, and being home, it was just a lot of positives. Like I said being home was one of my goals and to be there and to just see my family was key.

I know I've already posted a bunch in here. But did he really have no relationship with Dame? "He is a very high talent." lol. How... dull.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

I like how he says he missed his kids. I guess I forgot when the state of Oregon banned kids moving here.

Oregon banned baby mommas from moving here.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

"There's only two things that come from Texas: Steers, and fathers who convienetly cant have their kids move to Oregon."

You forgot the third thing that comes from Texas.....steaming piles of bullshit....

 

[dviss1]

This is telling:

"and now they have no battle with who’s the face of the team."

Fuck you LA. You caused the "battle".

 

[SlyPokerDog]

SI.com: Your relationship with Lillard was believed to be one of the reasons you decided to leave. How would you characterize that relationship?

LA: I thought that stuff was blown out of proportion. I feel like the organization blew it out of proportion and I felt like the media blew it out of proportion. Of course him and I could’ve talked more and been closer. You know we’re both ... the issue you have when you have two guys that are very similar as far as competitiveness and drive and kind of being brought up the same way is that they’re both the same way so you don’t have one person that really goes out of his way to make a relationship.

So we didn’t have a bad relationship at all. I enjoyed playing with him. I feel like he learned as time went along to incorporate me and how to give me shots how I like my shot, and of course everyone knows he’s a big-time player so I didn’t have any issues. We both texted and said we both could have probably done better at communicating. I thought that was one thing that we both agreed on, that we both kind of saw each other as “don’t mess with him” because we’re both so to ourselves in a way that we both didn’t want to overstep our boundaries trying to get to know each other. But then we texted and said we both probably should have done more. But I never had an issue playing with him or anything like that or with him being the face or them promoting him or anything like that. If I had an issue like that then why go to the Spurs? They don’t promote anybody.”

 

[Strenuus]

This is telling:

"and now they have no battle with who’s the face of the team."

Fuck you LA. You caused the "battle".

Yeah, I'm sure his lawyer is letting him know about that quote.

He'll probably say "Watch what you say"...

he'll write it out in icing on a cake.

That LA will eat.

But only about 40% of it.

 

[julius]

This is telling:

"and now they have no battle with who’s the face of the team."

Fuck you LA. You caused the "battle".

Funny thing is, he isn't and won't be the face of the Spurs. Even after Duncan, Parker and Ginobili retire.

 

[Strenuus]

SI.com: Your relationship with Lillard was believed to be one of the reasons you decided to leave. How would you characterize that relationship?

LA: I thought that stuff was blown out of proportion. I feel like the organization blew it out of proportion and I felt like the media blew it out of proportion. Of course him and I could’ve talked more and been closer. You know we’re both ... the issue you have when you have two guys that are very similar as far as competitiveness and drive and kind of being brought up the same way is that they’re both the same way so you don’t have one person that really goes out of his way to make a relationship.

So we didn’t have a bad relationship at all. I enjoyed playing with him. I feel like he learned as time went along to incorporate me and how to give me shots how I like my shot, and of course everyone knows he’s a big-time player so I didn’t have any issues. We both texted and said we both could have probably done better at communicating. I thought that was one thing that we both agreed on, that we both kind of saw each other as “don’t mess with him” because we’re both so to ourselves in a way that we both didn’t want to overstep our boundaries trying to get to know each other. But then we texted and said we both probably should have done more. But I never had an issue playing with him or anything like that or with him being the face or them promoting him or anything like that. If I had an issue like that then why go to the Spurs? They don’t promote anybody.”

Okay. FUCK HIM. If he wasnt on my shit list before...

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

SI.com: Your relationship with Lillard was believed to be one of the reasons you decided to leave. How would you characterize that relationship?

LA: I thought that stuff was blown out of proportion. I feel like the organization blew it out of proportion and I felt like the media blew it out of proportion. Of course him and I could’ve talked more and been closer. You know we’re both ... the issue you have when you have two guys that are very similar as far as competitiveness and drive and kind of being brought up the same way is that they’re both the same way so you don’t have one person that really goes out of his way to make a relationship.

So we didn’t have a bad relationship at all. I enjoyed playing with him. I feel like he learned as time went along to incorporate me and how to give me shots how I like my shot, and of course everyone knows he’s a big-time player so I didn’t have any issues. We both texted and said we both could have probably done better at communicating. I thought that was one thing that we both agreed on, that we both kind of saw each other as “don’t mess with him” because we’re both so to ourselves in a way that we both didn’t want to overstep our boundaries trying to get to know each other. But then we texted and said we both probably should have done more. But I never had an issue playing with him or anything like that or with him being the face or them promoting him or anything like that. If I had an issue like that then why go to the Spurs? They don’t promote anybody.”

Lamarcus is so full of shit. It's you lamarcus. Dame seems to include everybody just fine.

 

[Strenuus]

LA, you went to the spurs so YOU COULD get that.

We're not stupid.

 

[illmatic99]

Good riddens. He comes off as a headcase.

now they have no battle with who’s the face of the team.

Yes because the only battle that existed was because of you. If your dumbass was more engaging and personable, this would never be an issue, but it's clear that petty shit like this is important for you. Hope you find what you're looking for in SA. GTFO

 

[julius]

corrected quote:

SI.com: Your relationship with Lillard was believed to be one of the reasons you decided to leave. How would you characterize that relationship?

LA: I thought, ya'know, that stuff was, ya'know, blown out of proportion. I feel like, ya'know, the organization blew it out of, ya'know, ya'know, proportion, ya'know, and I felt like the media blew it out of proportion. Ya'know. Of course him and I could’ve talked more ya'know and been closer ya'know . Ya'know we’re both ... the issue you have ya'know, when you have two guys that are very similar ya'know, as far as competitiveness ya'know, and drive and kind of being brought up ya'know, the same way is that they’re both the same way ya'know, so you don’t have one person that really goes out ya'know, of his way to make a relationship. Ya'know.

So we didn’t have a bad relationship at all ya'know. I enjoyed playing ya'know, with him. I feel like he learned as time went along, ya'know, to incorporate ya'know, me and how to give me, ya'know, shots how I like my shot, and of course everyone knows he’s a big-time player ya'know, ya'know, so I didn’t have ya'know, any issues. We both texted and said we both ya'know, could have probably done better ya'know, at communicating ya'know. I thought that was one thing that we both agreed on, ya'know, that we both kind of saw each other as ya'know, “don’t mess, ya'know, with him” because we’re both so ya'know, to ourselves in a way that we both didn’t want to overstep our ya'know, boundaries trying to get to know each other. But then we texted and ya'know, said we both probably should have ya'know, done more. But I never had ya'know, an issue playing with ya'know, him or anything like ya'know, that or with him being the face or them ya'know, promoting him ya'know,or anything like that ya'know. If I had an issue like that ya'know, then why go to the Spurs ya'know,? They don’t promote anybody ya'know,ya'know,ya'know,ya'know,ya'know.”

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Oregon banned baby mommas from moving here.

Can we change baby mommas to Californians and people from the NorthEast?

 

[Natebishop3]

SI.com: Your relationship with Lillard was believed to be one of the reasons you decided to leave. How would you characterize that relationship?

LA: I thought that stuff was blown out of proportion. I feel like the organization blew it out of proportion and I felt like the media blew it out of proportion. Of course him and I could’ve talked more and been closer. You know we’re both ... the issue you have when you have two guys that are very similar as far as competitiveness and drive and kind of being brought up the same way is that they’re both the same way so you don’t have one person that really goes out of his way to make a relationship.

So we didn’t have a bad relationship at all. I enjoyed playing with him. I feel like he learned as time went along to incorporate me and how to give me shots how I like my shot, and of course everyone knows he’s a big-time player so I didn’t have any issues. We both texted and said we both could have probably done better at communicating. I thought that was one thing that we both agreed on, that we both kind of saw each other as “don’t mess with him” because we’re both so to ourselves in a way that we both didn’t want to overstep our boundaries trying to get to know each other. But then we texted and said we both probably should have done more. But I never had an issue playing with him or anything like that or with him being the face or them promoting him or anything like that. If I had an issue like that then why go to the Spurs? They don’t promote anybody.”

That's ridiculous. Completely ridiculous. First of all, he and Lillard are nothing alike. Dame is an extrovert, and Aldridge is an introvert, so I don't buy that for a second. Aldridge was the old veteran. He's 30 years old. Dame was the young guy. It's not Dame's job to go out of his way to create a relationship with Aldridge. That's just silly. If you listen to what guys like Barkley say, when they came into the league it was guys like Moses Malone who took him under their wing and made him feel welcome. Not the other way around. LA is a child.

Second, it wasn't so much the Blazers who promoted Lillard. It was Adidas and it was Lilllard who promoted himself. He's a networker. He posts on twitter. He put himself out there. It wasn't the Blazers who put him on national ad campaigns. It was Lillard himself who got those endorsements and got himself out there. He's the more marketable of the two players. Period. LA was just a jealous douche who looked at his crappy local endorsements and looked at Dame with Adidas and NBA Live and thought..... what's so great about him?

 

[julius]

I don't care who you are, that was funny as fuck.

 

[illmatic99]

More and more these articles and comments come out, the more I realize how blinded I was to his stupidity and weak mind. I suppose the signs were there-- how many bricks did we see him throw up in fourth quarters and late in games over his time here?

Can't wait to see him miss crucial FTs in a playoff game and lose big.

 

[Strenuus]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but has anyone else on the Blazers had such a "great" career and then instantly turned into a villan overnight as much as LA has? I mean, he had his detractors from the start, but still.

The only one I can think of remotely is Clyde... but even his was gradual.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

SI.com: Your relationship with Lillard was believed to be one of the reasons you decided to leave. How would you characterize that relationship?

LA: I thought that stuff was blown out of proportion. I feel like the organization blew it out of proportion and I felt like the media blew it out of proportion. Of course him and I could’ve talked more and been closer. You know we’re both ... the issue you have when you have two guys that are very similar as far as competitiveness and drive and kind of being brought up the same way is that they’re both the same way so you don’t have one person that really goes out of his way to make a relationship.

So we didn’t have a bad relationship at all. I enjoyed playing with him. I feel like he learned as time went along to incorporate me and how to give me shots how I like my shot, and of course everyone knows he’s a big-time player so I didn’t have any issues. We both texted and said we both could have probably done better at communicating. I thought that was one thing that we both agreed on, that we both kind of saw each other as “don’t mess with him” because we’re both so to ourselves in a way that we both didn’t want to overstep our boundaries trying to get to know each other. But then we texted and said we both probably should have done more. But I never had an issue playing with him or anything like that or with him being the face or them promoting him or anything like that. If I had an issue like that then why go to the Spurs? They don’t promote anybody.”

Reading between the lines summery...

LA: I like to have my ass kissed and my balls fondled, ya know. Lillard comes in here and refuses to do either, ya know. He's like, lets just play basketball and win games, but my ass and balls have needs, ya know. He won't even discuss it, ya know. My ass and balls, refuses to talk about them or touch them, ya know. Terrible communication, ya know. Should I have pushed my ass to his mouth? Should I have just dropped my balls in his hands? I guess I could have, ya know. But neither of us took the time to talk about my ass and balls and their needs, ya know. We texted, I sent him a couple of videos of people kissing my ass and fondling my balls but he never really replied to them, ya know. It was more about playing, winning, team stuff, ya know. But my ass and balls are the team, ya know.

That's why I decided to sign with San Antonio. In talking with Coach Pops he said he liked to play balls out, ya know. That said a lot to me, ya know. While I've never played with my balls out I'm sure Pops wouldn't have suggested it if he didn't want to make it easier for him to fondle them, ya know. And the ass stuff? Well he did take me to dinner twice and said lots of nice things to me, ya know. When people do that it means they really want to kiss my ass, ya know. Even Timmy was there, ya know! It just seemed like they were all really eager to kiss my ass, ya know.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

More and more these articles and comments come out, the more I realize how blinded I was to his stupidity and weak mind. I suppose the signs were there-- how many bricks did we see him throw up in fourth quarters and late in games over his time here?

Can't wait to see him miss crucial FTs in a playoff game and lose big.

The ISOs... They're gone... Thank god

 

[Strenuus]

The ISOs... They're gone... Thank god

It's interesting... when McMuffin was here... he Iso'ed so damn much.

With Stotts... LMA forced isos to him...

 

[Natebishop3]

More and more these articles and comments come out, the more I realize how blinded I was to his stupidity and weak mind. I suppose the signs were there-- how many bricks did we see him throw up in fourth quarters and late in games over his time here?

Can't wait to see him miss crucial FTs in a playoff game and lose big.

I had a very strong feeling that he was gonna leave...... but I never thought he was this selfish. This fragile. The Blazers did a REALLY good job of hiding this from the media. Although, it was pretty clear from some of the things that Casey said before LA left.

 

[Haakzilla]

This must be the truncated version.

I only see a couple you knows.

...which leads me to believe their is some suspicious editing going on here!